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#58.
The Dispensational Landmark (28: 23 - 31).
The quotation of Crisis (Isa. 6: 9, 10).
pp. 100 - 105
In the preceding article we spent the whole of our time examining the close
correspondence that exists between Matt. 13: and Acts 28:, and established the fact
that in both cases "mystery" follows "rejection", although in the one the mystery was that
of the kingdom, and in the other it was the mystery of the present dispensation. We were,
however, unable to consider the passage itself, quoted from Isa. 6: Because of its
importance, this we must now do.
"And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had
spoken one word" (Acts 28: 25).
This "one word" constituted Israel's solemn dismissal, for the word translated "they
departed" is in the passive and should be translated "They were dismissed". Apoluo,
which is the word used in the original, not only means "to send away" in a general sense,
but in a good sense, "to release", as in Heb. 13: 23, and, in a bad sense, "to divorce" a
wife, as in Matt. 1: 19; 5: 31, 32, the first four occurrences of the verb. It is this figure
that must be kept in mind when considering Israel's rejection in Acts 28: for,
throughout their history, Israel's relationship with the Lord has been construed in terms
of marriage.
"They agreed not."--The word thus translated is asumphonos, which is derived from
sumphoneo, the origin of our "symphony". It is used once in connection with the
marriage relationship (I Cor. 7: 5) where husband and wife "agree" to temporary
separation for the Lord's sake. The separation of Israel from their Lord, however, was
not by consent, but because there was no "concord" that could make the relationship
possible, although there will be when the repentance of Israel is brought about by grace.
This "divorce" of Israel, which had cast its shadow even over the Gospels, and is
anticipated in the first miracle of Acts 13:, is now pronounced, and the word used to
seal the dreadful dismissal is that quoted from Isa. 6:
The place that chapter 6: occupies in the prophecy of Isaiah, its structure and other
important details, will be found in Volume XXX, pp. 169-176; 195-200, in the series
entitled "Fundamentals of Dispensational Truth". But we draw attention here to the
testimony of the closing verses, viz., the answer to the cry of the prophet, "Lord, how
long?" which speaks of cities wasted and land forsaken, with but a remnant that shall
return and which shall constitute the holy seed. We cannot now stay to expound these
verses, but must concentrate upon the passage quoted. To the Apostle, this prophecy was
the word spoken by the Holy Ghost: "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias unto your
fathers" (Acts 28: 25).